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Post by sahmen on Sept 1, 2019 11:27:22 GMT -5
I'm currently experimenting with using my Airmotiv 3b as computer speakers in my office, with the Emotiva Big Ego serving as my DAC, and it seems to be working well, except that I would like a little extra oomph in the low end. I could also use my pair of Airmotiv 5S, except that, in the purely "optics" department, they do not do "understated" as well as the 3Bs, although I would prefer the sound of the 5s in almost any situation... Either way, I have to think of the low-end oomph factor, which is where the sub idea comes in...
What options for a reasonably priced sub with an understated look are out there that might fit such an environment or requirement?
To serve as something of a guideline, I currently use a pair of SVS NSD-12 amps with my Airmotiv 6s as near-field monitors in my home office, and they do their job exceeding well in that environment. One of these NSD-12 subs could do an excellent job in the office space I am currently exploring, but it also won't be as understated in appearance as I would ideally like it to be, hence this inquiry...
What options are out there as possible subs either for the Airmotiv 3b or the 5s, that would work well without drawing too much attention to themselves, visually speaking?
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Sept 1, 2019 11:40:37 GMT -5
REL T/Zero
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Post by LuisV on Sept 1, 2019 12:34:20 GMT -5
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Post by GreenKiwi on Sept 1, 2019 15:57:15 GMT -5
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Post by sahmen on Nov 8, 2019 4:01:44 GMT -5
So I got a smoking deal on a Rel/T Zero (which is now on its way), and I am particularly thrilled by its size performance ratio (if there is such a thing). Size : 8.5 x 9.5 x 10.5 in, Weight : 15 ibs. The issue is, having read parts of the manual, I am beginning to wonder about two things: 1. Will it be too much for my Airmotiv 3bs? I also have an idle pair of Airmotiv 5s units that I can use in the same office (which is 12ft X 14ft in size, approximately) and I am wondering whether I should replace 3Bs with the 5s's. The appeal of the 3bs has always resided in their relatively smaller, and understated size. When it comes to sound production and sq, , however, I of course prefer the sound of the 5s in almost every way. If the RelT zero will match the 3bs as optimally as it would the 5s pair, then I shall probably keep things as they are. If not, then I am definitely going to consider replacing the 3bs with the 5s's and looks be damned... 2. The more complicated question regards how best to hook-up the monitors, (either the Airmotiv 3b or the 5s's) with the Rel Tzero. Reading the Tzero manual, it does not at all look straight forward, for someone wanting to pair it with powered monitors. In the office, I normally use the emotiva Big ego as the DAC interfacing my mac mini and the monitors, and that works really well. I do not know how best to work the ReL/T zero into this equation, especially, since they recommend the "High Level Input." as the best... At any rate, here are my objectives: Hook up either Airmotiv 3B or 5s monitors to the Rel T Zero sub in an office environment as a nearfield desktop 2.1 channel system (for music, and the occasional movie streamed from my computer). Other available components that could be added to the chain, apart from the mac mini, are: 1. Emotiva Big Ego 2. A Sherbourn LDS 2/150B which I occasionally use as a headphone amplifier (paired with the Big Ego) 3. A Creative Soundblaster X3, which is called a "Hi-Res 7.1 External USB DAC and Amp Sound Card with Super X-Fi® for PC and Mac" Again, I am just look for the best and simplest way to hook up the monitors to the Rel Tzero for the best performance in this particular small office at work. Any helpful suggestions would be welcome. Rel T Zero   Sherbourn LDS 2/150B   Creative Soundblaster X3   |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 8, 2019 10:11:59 GMT -5
What are you using as a preamp?
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Post by sahmen on Nov 8, 2019 11:04:36 GMT -5
What are you using as a preamp? There really is no dedicated preamp in this set up. However, the line-outs from the big ego, and also the Creative sound blaster do allow some kind of workaround preamp functionalities that work very well for the monitors. The soundblaster X3 actually has a subout socket which could be connected directly to either the low level input or the LFE input on the Rel T zero, but I shall need to have the T zero here in order to find out how effective that connection might be (the soundblaster is only a sound card, and I am not sure whether it has enough juice or heft to move the Rel T zero as it needs to be moved). What I am currently investigating is whether I can use the T zero's high level input, which is what they all swear by as the bees knees, but then they also claim that it has to be connected to the speaker outputs of my amp, which is why I included the sherbourn LDS 2/150B in the list. I actually also have an Emotiva mini-X A-100 idling around, which has an analog loop output functionality.. I have been wondering whether it is possible to use that as a kind of preamp to connect the Airmotiv monitors. The speaker outputs on the Mini-x A-100 would then connect with the T=zero's High level input as they require... This is the description of how the A-100's analog loop output works: "Connecting the analog (loop) Output of the Mini-X A-100 to another device The Output of the A-100 provides another copy of the input signal for chaining to another device. The output signal is the same as the input, is buffered (so it won’t load down the input device), and is only present when the A-100 is On." Do you think this line-level loop output thingy would enable the A-100 to work in this setup, and safely so, as a kind of pre-amp feeding the Airmotivs, particularly the 5s, while the speaker outputs go to feed the T zero?   |
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DYohn
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Post by DYohn on Nov 8, 2019 15:11:13 GMT -5
You need to control the subwoofer volume with the same device you use to control the monitor volume. ie: your preamp. You need a line level input to both the sub amp and the monitor amps. These can be the same signal if necessary. The use the controls on the sub amp to set the crossover and level to blend with the monitor level at some reference you choose.
Not using a preamp is one of the biggest mistakes people make these days and I do not understand the reluctance to do things correctly.
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Post by sahmen on Nov 9, 2019 13:46:52 GMT -5
You need to control the subwoofer volume with the same device you use to control the monitor volume. ie: your preamp. You need a line level input to both the sub amp and the monitor amps. These can be the same signal if necessary. The use the controls on the sub amp to set the crossover and level to blend with the monitor level at some reference you choose. Not using a preamp is one of the biggest mistakes people make these days and I do not understand the reluctance to do things correctly. Yes got it! I actually do what you are describing with the Airmotiv 6s nearfield desktop setup in my home office, controlling the volume on the monitors and my SVS SB-12NSD subwoofer, with my AudioGD NFB 1 AMP/PREAMP. I thought I could do the same with the Mini-X A-100 with this setup in the office at my workplace, but it strikes me now that the volume control on the mini-x may not be able to work with my Airmotiv monitors if they are connected to the mini-x via the line-level Loop output, so this option is a no-go. I now realize that I shall probably have to get me another amp/preamp combo like the NFB-1 amp in order to be able to connect the Rel T zero via the High Level input, and my Airmotiv 5s monitors to the same unit as desired by this set up. I hope I can get a used NFB1 amp or a cheaper alternative (amp/preamp combo) with the same connectivity options... |
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Post by sahmen on Nov 9, 2019 20:38:48 GMT -5
I might get the older version of the PSAudio Sprout to solve this problem.
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Post by redogfizbal on Nov 10, 2019 0:37:49 GMT -5
Please let me know how this works for you. I’ve been eyeing the T/zero for my LSX’s. I never have any luck with subs and always end up selling them or returning them.
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Post by sahmen on Nov 10, 2019 5:21:45 GMT -5
Please let me know how this works for you. I’ve been eyeing the T/zero for my LSX’s. I never have any luck with subs and always end up selling them or returning them. Will do |
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